It was a scintillating climb that was months in coming. Lance Armstrong crushed the Alpe d'Huez time trial!

As far back as March, Lance Armstrong began climbing this mountain when there were no crowds, no traffic, and no teammates. He identified this stage as the pivotal decider of the ‘04 tour.

Great champions have a primordial need to write their names on the monuments of the sport. Lance Armstrong -- in getting the yellow the jersey and winning the stage to Villard-de-Lans and the first uphill time trial at Alpe d'Huez -- as done just that.

He has closed the chasm between himself and history , and now all he needs to do is step across.